Gingham’s iconic alternating checks have been beloved for generations—and beyond. Modern memory might associate it with a classic red and white gingham tablecloth or the blue and white shirt in every millennial man’s closet, and it’s a nostalgic pattern that brings up a sense of time and place.
“Gingham is the apple pie of fabrics. It reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen. There’s a reason it is on the top of the Smucker’s Jar,” says Amy Whyte, designer at Old Lucketts Store,
But gingham can also add a fresh, colorful, and even whimsical element to design. Here are 13 ways designers are using gingham in rooms that feel both modern and timeless.
Craft a Breakfast Banquette From Wipeable Gingham
Gingham always feels right at home in a kitchen, and this fresh blue and white color palette feels slightly less expected than a red and white. When crafted from a wipeable fabric, it’s a practical and pretty choice for a breakfast room.
“The blue and white gingham bench is the perfect fit in this casually cute breakfast space,” says Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer at Marian Louise Design. “It is easily wipeable after kids’ spills and is super durable without sacrificing style.”
Mix Old and New
While gingham has been a go-to design motif for years, the alternating checks still bring a fresh look. Jennifer Barron, founder of Jennifer Barron Interiors, says, “Gingham is a timeless pattern that gives a space instant charm and character. ”
She uses the pattern to keep things feeling crisp. “In this sunroom, I chose a gingham sofa in a light and bright blue to keep everything fresh. I paired this statement piece with a brighter rug and an antique commode for a timeless yet youthful look,” says Barron.
Choose A Vibrant Colorway
Choosing a gingham in a vibrant colorway is a fun way to update the look. Courtnay Tartt Ellias, principal and creative director at Creative Tonic, used a bright lavender gingham in this historic bungalow.
“The key to modernizing the traditional gingham fabric? Scale and color! The breezy colorway of the space, paired with of-the-moment touches like lucite, keep the traditional fabric from feeling heavy or too traditional,” says Elias.
Create Coziness
Classic patterns have a sense of nostalgia—they’re like the comfort food of the design world. And gingham is no exception. Whyte explains, “Gingham harkens back to all things warmth and comfort. It’s always part of my pattern play because it mixes so well with everything and it brings a bit of cozy to the layering palette.”
Add More Pattern
Rather than letting gingham take over as the sole star of the show, combine it with other patterns. In this room by Rumor Designs, a tartan-like gingham in a moody green and navy palette could look serious and academic. But a bold dose of pattern wallpaper above keeps it feeling modern. Lead Designer Peyton Helsen says, “Add in layers of depth and texture with other fabrics, prints, plaids, and cozy materials.”
Look for a White Background
Gingham is often associated with country decor, and it’s perfect in charming, Americana-inspired spaces. But the key is to look for a gingham that feels fresh rather than muddy.
“In this children’s room, brown gingham bedding made the perfect match for the rural, boyish aesthetic of the room,” says Barron. “Making sure that the gingham had a white background kept the room from becoming too dated or overly country, and instead gives a charming, cozy feeling to the space.”
Use Gingham To Introduce a Casual Element
If you want to bring down the formality of a dining room, gingham can strike the perfect casual note. It’s tailored and polished, yet it has a more approachable look than a fancy floral or a sleek stripe.
Jennifer Hunter, interior designer and owner of Jennifer Hunter Design, explains, “I used gingham on the dining chairs because this is a country home, and I wanted something that reflected a more casual and comfortable feel.”
Make Gingham Moody
The crisp checks of gingham can serve as just the right foil for a darker, moodier room, especially when they both complement and contrast the colors already in the space’s palette.
In this library, Johanna Lyle, principal and owner of Jo Lyle & Co., helped gingham break out of its normal aesthetic, thanks to more eclectic surroundings. “Gingham has long been associated with a preppy, traditional, spring look, but when paired with more modern pieces like a marble drink table, mid-century inspired chairs, and a dark moody library, the print feels fresh,” says Lyle. “It’s about what’s around the gingham, not necessarily the gingham itself. “
Upholster a Headboard in Gingham
Because gingham is so timeless, you can use it as a neutral on an upholstered element, like a headboard. It becomes a backdrop for other patterns, like a block print. “Gingham is such a classic pattern that can be mixed in with anything and looks great,” says Barron.
Use Gingham as a Fun Accent
While gingham is thought of as a classic motif, it can be used to infuse fun and whimsy into a space that’s otherwise full of solids. The checks read as playful when they’re the only bold pattern in a room.
Diane Rath, principal designer and owner of The Rath Project, explains, “Gingham adds character and an element of fun to a space. The gingham chair pulls this room together with that classic, elevated print that never feels too busy.”
Use Gingham on Drapery
Gingham is lovely on drapery, where it can make major drama when used in a large scale, or serve as a foil for bold wallpaper when used in a smaller print. It frames a window perfectly, especially when it echos the grid of the panes.
Whyte says, “When you pair gingham with florals, stripes, or modern fabric, it transcends time. That is what makes it fresh and happy.”
Add a Sophisticated But Girly Look
Gingham in a soft pink and white colorway adds a girly element that’s just right for a child’s room, but it has a sophistication that will give it staying power through the years. Meacham explains, “These pink and white, gingham checked drapes added a hint of girly flair yet, not too much that they couldn’t grow with the child’s tastes. Gingham prints are very versatile and can transition with evolving design.”
Contrast It With a Large Print
A smaller gingham and a larger print are a match made in heaven, particularly when they have an unexpected color combination. These twin beds are charming beneath a trellis of green vines. “I loved the scale of this gingham and its unexpected color combination. It give a classic yet modern feel and I especially love it in a kids’ bunk room,” says Hunter.